Tim Elliott knows politics.
The 20-year Airdrie resident has worked for the federal government for 30 years and he says he will transfer those networking and teamwork skills to a position on City council if his peers vote for him in this fall’s municipal election.
“I know how to work as a team to get things done,” said the 49-year-old father of two.
“I am ready to work with the other aldermen to get some new ideas and start making changes. I have spent my whole life preparing for this.”
Elliott said it is important to get City Hall looking at things with a fresh perspective.
“Transportation will be one of my major platforms,” he said.
“We need better transportation between Calgary and Airdrie and I don’t think City hall has listened to the people requiring the service with the ICE (InterCity Express Service), that’s why it has been taken over by First Student Canada and now Traxx.”
He would also like to see a review of the use of resources at the City.
“I want to make sure we are getting value for our money and that we have the best people doing the best job we can,” he said.
“I want to look at the number of employees and what is being spent to make sure we have the right number of people doing the job.”
Elliott has run for council twice before and he describes himself as fiscally responsible.
“I would spend the taxpayers money as if it was my own. I want to make sure I do the right thing for the people,” he said.
The most important issue in Airdrie is growth, he added.
“We are a victim of our own success,” he said.
“We grew so fast and now we are trying to get the infrastructure to meet our needs. I moved here 20 years ago because it was a place for me to raise my family and I want Airdrie to get back to being a great place for families.”
Although his stance on the issues are important, Elliott says the thing that makes him the best candidate for the job is the fact that he cares about the community.
“I’ve always been community-minded,” he said.
“I like being involved, I like making a difference. I care about my neighbours. Politics is not removed from the community, it is the community. I want to make sure I do the best I can for the community. I will work for the residents of Airdrie, that is what being an alderman is all about.”
Elliott is involved in volunteer work for the Festival of Lights, the Alberta 55+ Games and the Airdrie Relay for Life.
